Monthly Archives: September 2013

Flower freaks may have lots of ideas and imagination to arrange flowers. They plant flowers in every bare spot and economically arrange fresh flowers enhancing the beauty of that place. Arranging flowers is cheaper than buying it from professionals. Here are some simple flower arranging tips that feature do it yourself process.

Flowers with hard stems

Flowers with hard stems can be used by scraping off the outer layer using a knife. The hard stemmed flowers look fresh as they drink using their petals.Flowers with soft stems

Flowers with soft stems are too fragile, but you can do lots with them. Loosen the stem by merely running your fingers from top to the stem and easily wind the stem in the round. Wrap the stem using wired raffia or floral twine and hold its shape.

Other flower arranging tips:

Conceal stems by using long tropical leaves. Scrape the spine thickness using a knife and roll it and stick to the water vase.

Remove all foliage below so that it does not rot and reduce your flower life.

Use waterproof tape and create a grid by keeping your flowers upright standing. Remember to group it together.

Support your flower’s base with greens and then add flowers, especially the big flowers. Keep turning your vase so that the flowers look distributed.

Placing Flowers

Place bud vases in your home areas where you receive high traffic and add just very few flowers. Place them in any decorative kitchen glass.

A bud vase with few clusters of small flowers is a perfect way of offering a welcoming atmosphere for the guest room.

Create a place to hang your keys and it should include a vase of weekly flowers. This is because it is the best you see while you go out and also the first on entering back inside.

For open spaces, go bold and big with the arrangement of gladiolus, lilies, hydrangea or other blooms creating an expansive dining room or entryway.

Although house cleaning seems like a unassuming and ordinary task, you would be surprised to know what kind of germs and infestations are making home within yours right under your noses. Therefore besides the regular cleaning, like vacuuming, washing dishes and clothes and changing the sheets, there are other key areas in your home that you should clean occasionally or have it cleaned by professionals if the problem is bigger.

Remove the Grease

One of the places that we tend to overlook is our kitchen. And that includes all of the many appliances and fixtures that are present in there. Kitchen is perhaps one of the most constantly used places and should be one of the cleanest areas as meals for the complete family is prepared here. Yet because of the air-borne grease and other dust particles that loom through the window and vent, this can become one of the greasiest and dirtiest places.

You should aim for a thorough cleaning at least once in a while. Periodic cleaning of the oven, exhaust fan, microwave, toaster and fridge prevents from stubborn dirt to accumulate. Similarly make sure to sweep your dry pantry with all of the things out of the way to ensure that no insects are storing food from your food store.

Sinks and Taps

Mould and mildew can prove to be harmful if it starts to build inside your home. The best places for its germination are the moist areas inside your home; therefore its growth will not be limited to the toilets alone. Make sure that when you are cleaning, do hit the target areas for moulds under the skin, around the shower pipes, behind the shower curtains and of course at the back of the flush fixture. Mould and fungus is also very likely to grow within the cabinets that conceal the pipes of the kitchen sink. Breathing the air that has been infected with mould can cause health problems; therefore it is vital that it should be removed.

Hidden Areas

Places in our house and property that remain hidden from our eyes become breeding grounds of nasty living things, like mice and rats. Such areas include attic, basement, shed and of course a livestock shelter, if you have one. Make it a point to have them inspected and/or cleaned up every now and then. Poisonous insects and animals, such as deadly spiders and snakes, can lay hidden in areas like these, taking shelter under or behind certain objects that are never moved.

Again it is likely that water might be standing stagnant in particular areas that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects. If you have overlooked such areas for a long time, then it is best to take professional help for the first time as they are knowledgeable of precautionary measures.

If you have shifted into a new house, then get trained help to look into the air conditioning/ heating ducts and vents that run through the building. You would want to remove any unpleasant thing from there as these ducts are meant to treat the breathing air around us.

It is that time of the year where your children are gearing up and preparing to go back to school. This time may get a little stressful for the kids. New teachers, maybe a new environment and a new schedule can get more for the child to handle. Not only the children but the parents also face stressful times as they need to relieve the child’s stress and prepare them for an easy changeover.

Being working adults, the pressure is also on the adults with multi tasking their jobs, house responsibilities and comforting the child. Every parent wishes the best for their child and wishes to be prepared. They all find tips and tricks for smooth shift for the kids. Here are a few ways to get all prepared when your kid gets back to school.

Converse with your child: Talking to your child about getting back to school not only makes them comfortable but can also be to your advantage. Talking to them helps you understand how prepared they are and can assuage your stress.

Have a new timetable in place: Alter your schedule according to your child’s timetable. It is important the child wakes up fresh in the morning and has a wholesome breakfast.

Get in touch with other parents: Discuss with other parents various ways to mentally prepare yourself for the kids going back to school. Other parents will have similar experiences to tell.

Contact teachers: Talking toyour child’s teachers will help you knowing what kind of person he or she is. This keeps the mind at peace. You will always want to know the kind of dominant influence in your kid’s life.

Know about the latest technology: Be aware of the latest technology which might be used in your child’s school. Usually when it comes to laptops or other gadgets parents are at a loss. By learning the new technology you can help the kid in learning it and you are also aware of the pros and cons of the gadget being used.

Study your child’s books again: Most of the parents feel they remember the English, science and maths but the fact is that you have forgotten the basics. Relearning them and brushing up will help you get prepared for helping your child with the homework.

Fill out all the important information: Prepare the child with the contact number in case of any emergency. Make sure they learn important contact numbers. Fill up all vital information on the school card for the school records also.

Be organized: Back to school anxiety can be reduced by being prepared and organized. Help your kid pack his bags according to the schedule. Make sure your child has the sufficient supplies.

Know about the school calendar: It is always good to have a copy of the school calendar in advance so that you can prepare yourself incase of any field trips, early release days etc.

Have faith in your kid: Be stress free and have faith that the child is capable of handling school. At times parents stress over more than the child.

As parents these top tips will prepare you for the kids going back to school.